The John Minturn departs New Orleans and approaches New York Harbor on Saturday, February 14th. As New York pilot, Thomas Freeborn motions to come aboard, Captain Stark rejects the offer and awaits a Sandy Hook pilot. Stark abhors the New York pilots and considers them unqualified for the job.

After an eight hour wait off the New Jersey coast and no sign of a Sandy Hook pilot, Stark reluctantly signals for Freeborn to come aboard the John Minturn. By now the storm is starting to gather strength and sharpening its destructive focus on the John Minturn.